MyDD :: Report from the MD Democratic Party Chair

Report from the MD Democratic Party Chair

by Terry Lierman, Tue Jul 12, 2005 at 01:15:56 PM EST

A Reform Democrat from the diaries--Chris

Since my election as State Party Chair last December I have sought to revitalize the Maryland Democratic at every level all the way from the precinct level to the state headquarters.

We've made amazing progress over the past sixth months. At the grassroots level, I have put over 15,000 miles on my car visiting Democratic clubs, Meetups, Young Democrats groups, DFA groups, and county central committees in all 23 counties and Baltimore City. Right now, our staff is working with local groups to establish goals and strategic plans for all 24 jurisdictions in the state. This is something that has not been done in this state in a very long time and its implementation is a critical part of our strategy to leave no county behind.

We have also sought to reach out and reconnect to important community groups in order to strengthen our relationships. I have overseen the establishment of the Maryland African-American Outreach Network, the Women's Leadership Network, the Maryland Latino Democratic Caucus, and the Maryland Democratic Business Council. These networks have been focused on the fact that communication is a two-way street. We can only win the support of these communities if we spend time listening to their concerns.

We've held many successful fundraising events (including a wildly successful one with Howard Dean in May) and expanded our small-donor program. We have nearly doubled the number of individual donors to the state party since this time last year. Due to our successful fundraising, we have been able to develop a state of the art voter file and build a great team. The state party is working closely with the DNC to put field organizers on the ground around Maryland as part of Chairman Dean's 50 state strategy.

I have also been glad to contribute to the revitalization of the Democratic Party at the national level, starting with the vote I cast for Howard Dean for DNC Chair in February. I have also participated in many conference calls and meetings with other state chairs and DNC leadership with the goal of formulating a winning strategy for our great party.

We've come a long way since December; however, we still have a lot of hard work ahead of us if we want to defeat Governor Ehrlich, hold Senator Sarbanes' seat, and win up and down the ballot in 2006. That's why I need your help. First, if you're from Maryland (or even if you just like to follow Maryland politics), please sign up for our email list. Second, please order a free Democratic Oval Sticker for your car: they've been popping up everywhere around the state. Lastly, visit our list of local Democratic clubs and central committees and get involved. We can only take back Maryland with the help of grassroots supporters like you.

-Terry Lierman
Chair, Maryland Democratic Party

P.S. If you have any suggestions for the state party, please comment below. We are always open to new ideas!

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Permalink :: 8 Comments :: Post a Comment

Brooke rocks (none / 0)

You should be proud of your daughter. She's great.

Suggestion: Put on your home page a link for bloggers where they can sign up and give you their name, email, and blog url. Then you'll have a list of local bloggers and be able to communicate with them easily.

by Matt Stoller on Tue Jul 12, 2005 at 01:28:19 PM EST

Your suggestion (none / 0)

Thank you for your kind comments about Brooke.

Your suggestion sounds like a very good one. I'll have my Communications Director look into it.

-Terry Lierman, Chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party

by Terry Lierman on Tue Jul 12, 2005 at 01:45:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

MD bloggers (none / 0)

Great to see you posting here and at dkos. And good to see that you have plans for a blog. MD is home to more well-trafficed conservative blogs than progressive ones.

For MyDD visitors, there is a nonpartisan MD blog linked in the state section of the MyDD page that focuses on some of the critical state policy choices that are being made by the current state and federal administrations. You might spend some time there checking it out (and learning just how big of a disconnect there is between what you believe in and the direction the state is headed).

by Steve Hill on Tue Jul 12, 2005 at 08:16:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The Dems weakness in MD (none / 0)

The Dems biggest weakness in MD right now is among white catholics. I would suggest, Maryland Catholic Democratic Caucus, Maryland Irish American Democratic Caucus, Maryland Italian American Democratic Caucus, and Maryland Polish American Democratic Caucus.

by upstatenydem on Tue Jul 12, 2005 at 01:29:54 PM EST

Thank You Terry (none / 0)

for all the work you have done on behalf of the citizens of Maryland.

Our governor and his lieutenant have spent the past three years deceiving Marylanders about their radical conservative agenda.

Terry has forced them to defend their record - a record that is indefensible. He exposes the fiction from the fact of this administration. He works tirelessly to rally Democrats and is building a party structure that will enable Democratic candidates to success at the polls.

I urge you all to consider a contribution to the Maryland Democratic Party. We can see what Terry Lierman has accomplished so far, and I can assure you his plans for the party will benefit all Marylanders.

We see that our money is being well spent. Visit www.mddems.org and help remove this right-wing blight from Annapolis.

by edterry on Tue Jul 12, 2005 at 01:34:55 PM EST

do you have a blog? (3.00 / 0)

by jdavidson on Tue Jul 12, 2005 at 02:24:38 PM EST

Re: do you have a blog? (none / 0)

As the campaign heats up we are hoping to expand and revise our website, which will hopefully include an active blog.

-Terry Lierman, Chairman of the Maryland Democratic Party

by Terry Lierman on Tue Jul 12, 2005 at 03:15:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: do you have a blog? (none / 0)

I'm in Cecil County, MD - born and raised in Harford - and lived 5 years in Montgomery County and have been blogging for nearly 3 years so let me know if you need help getting set up.

Jeff Davidson
http://www.hilltownmediagroup.com
hilltownmedia@gmail.com

by jdavidson on Tue Jul 12, 2005 at 05:22:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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